Why You Don’t Thrive in a 9-5 (P.S. It’s a GOOD Thing!)
⏰ Read Time: 5 Minutes
You’re not Unemployable - You’re an Entrepreneur in Disguise 🥸
TL;DR:
Many neurodivergent people feel "unemployable" because we don’t fit into rigid, outdated systems.
Traditional jobs drain us: masking, people-pleasing, and conforming lead to burnout.
Entrepreneurship offers freedom: set your own rules, follow your passions, and thrive on your terms.
ADHD and autism brains shine when working in alignment with our interests and rhythms.
The Hidden Struggles of Neurodivergence in the Workplace
Let's talk about something most neurodivergent people feel deep down but rarely say out loud:
A lot of us… feel kinda unemployable.
And honestly? We are... at least in the way the world of work is currently set up.
Here's why:
If you have ADHD, autism, or are otherwise neurodivergent, you've probably spent years trying to fit into workplaces that just weren't designed for brains like ours. The open offices. The endless meetings. The slow pace of change that makes you want to scream.
You've been told to "just follow the process," "stay in your lane," "or "be a team player." Fine, but usually without ever being given a real why. And if you're like me, following rules you don't understand doesn't just feel frustrating… it can feel impossible.
That's because our brains aren't wired for blind obedience. We're wired to question, to see connections, to ask why and how. We can't switch that off. (And once you're not trying to please a boss, you'll see you don't want to!)
But in most traditional jobs, that makes us the "problem employee." The one who needs "too much" support, asks "too many" questions, or doesn't fit in with the way things have always been done.
So we mask. We shrink ourselves. We spend our days hypervigilant, watching every tone of voice and every body language cue, trying to figure out what's really expected so we don't mess up, offend someone, or lose our job.
And the cost?
It's burnout.
It's meltdowns after work. (Or AT work. Been there, girl!)
It's depression, anxiety, & shutdowns.
It's coming home so drained you have nothing left for the things that actually make your life feel worth living.
This is what I'm many of us go through every day, and it's not because we're lazy, broken, or not trying hard enough.
It's because the system wasn't built for us.
Why Traditional Jobs Drain Neurodivergent Brains
Let's get one thing straight:
You're not unemployable because there's something wrong with you.
You struggle in traditional work environments because they reward masking, people-pleasing, and conformity. Those things are soul-crushing for spicy-brained women like us.
And honestly? A lot of us aren't meant to be employed at all.
Because when we stop fighting to fit into a system that drains us…
When we stop masking to survive in workplaces that don't value our strengths…
When we stop shrinking ourselves to get a paycheck… something beautiful happens...
We realize we can build something better.
Why Entrepreneurship Can Be a Lifeline for Neurodivergent Brains
Running your own business means:
→ You make the rules.
→ You choose your hours (even if your "morning" starts at 4pm because that's your natural circadian rhythm).
→ You get to be honest about your quirks, your needs, and how you work best.
→ You build systems that work for you, not against you.
→ You get to say no to projects, clients, and meetings that drain you.
→ You follow your passions, your curiosity, your hyperfocus - because that's how your brain works best.
And when you do that, you thrive.
→ You burn through 8 hours of work in 1 because you're actually interested in what you're doing.
→ You lose yourself in flow and end the day feeling proud, not depleted.
→ You have the freedom to say, "I'm taking today off because I need rest," without explaining yourself to anyone.
→ You can go on field trips with your kids.
→ You can have lunch with friends mid-week.
You can build a life that feels like yours.
That's not just self-care. That's survival.
If you're fretting about where to start, check out this free email course to get clear on an aligned goal and make an ADHD-friendly plan to tackle it.
Download Find My Focus today!
Let’s Build a Life That Works for You
There's this mantra that comes up when I reflect on what it's like now that I have embraced a career path:
"I don't have to make myself smaller anymore."
And that's what entrepreneurship gives us: the freedom to take up space. To stop hiding our ideas. To stop pretending we're someone we're not just to keep a job.
When I was pursuing promotions in corporate America, I often felt like the kid getting picked last in gym class. I could see I didn't fit in, but I had no idea why. Once I had my ADHD diagnosis, it was only a matter of time before taking off the mask meant needing significant change.
I was never going to succeed in that environment because the rules were all made up, arbitrary, and not conducive to my sparkly brain.
If you're feeling the same... hear this:
You're not too much.
You're not too late.
You're not a failure.
You're just wired differently—and that difference is your gift.
When you stop trying to fit into a system that was never designed for you, you make space for your creativity, your brilliance, your unique contributions.
There's a million ways to make money. There's no "right" path.
But if you're burned out, exhausted, and ready for a different way - this is your sign:
You're allowed to build a life that works for you.
And I promise, there's so much magic waiting on the other side.
Who Am I?
I'm a certified project "manager, an ADHD strategist, and a fellow neurodivergent entrepreneur who's been exactly where you are. After years of trying to force myself into jobs that drained me, I finally took the leap and built a business around the way my brain works. Now, I help ADHD and neurodivergent business owners like you stop spinning your wheels, create systems that actually fit, and get your ideas out of your head and into the world.
Since my diagnosis in 2021, I've dedicated myself to learning everything I possibly can about ADHD. I love innovating and adapting systems and strategies that help us work and enjoy our lives to the fullest. I believe in our greatness, and I know I was put on this planet to help other women trust their magic.
If this resonates with you, I'd like to invite you to a complimentary, no-pressure strategy session. I trust the impact of someone validating your ideas. I know how different your goals feel when someone else believes them possible.
